I excused myself and picked up the call. I hesitantly said, "Hi!"

If hoped he hadn't heard about the poster yet. He was already insecure about me and Adrian and the last thing I needed right now was a rejection from Blake.

"Hey. I'll be reaching in half an hour."

I sighed with relief and smiled, "Great. I'm almost ready."

"See you then. Bye.", I heard a happy voice at the other end.

I nodded, not realising that he couldn't see me and then hung up. I looked back at the employee whose name was apparently Jared and then asked him," So. Let's get this done with quickly. I have somewhere to be."

I analysed the poster again. It was beautiful but a little too intimate to be shared with the whole world, considering that Eccentric's issue featuring the Global Meet was the most popular magazine of the year.

I was facing Adrian, my one hand was in his and the other one was on his shoulder. His other and was tightly wrapped around my waist. Are faces weren't too close but definitely the space between us was lesser than what a professional dance would permit and the look on our faces...gosh. We were looking at each other so intently, anyone could tell there was some kind of tension between us. Though it was because we had been squabbling, most would interpret this tension as something else, given Adrian's reputation with girls.

"This picture has been released online?", Adrian asked.

"No, sir. But it will be, first thing tomorrow morning.", Jared said.

Adrian nodded, contemplating something and then stated, "Tell Mrs. Sokolov to get a different picture. This isn't going up."

"Sir. Are you certain? This has never happened before."

"Just because it hasn't happened before doesn't mean that it can't happen now. Does it?"

"Uh...I will talk to Mrs. Sokolov and see wh..."

"What's wrong with the picture?", I asked.

"I think you know perfectly well, what's wrong.", Adrian retorted.

"The picture is not going down.", I ordered.

"Well. Your date with your dear Blake will, if this is printed."

"So? If I want to be a queen, I don't need a king. What I do need is an empire. This cover is my key to one. No way in hell am I giving this up for a relationship."

"Jacob wasn't wrong about you, you know.", He sneered.

"Good for him, that his dating Jennifer. And as far as priorities go, my career didn't hook up with my sister, he did.", I miffed.

"Excuse me ma'am.", Jared asked hesitantly, drawing our attention away from our banter.

"Sorry.", I apologised, "This stays and keep us updated."

"Yes Ma'am.", He nodded.

"Do as you please.", Adrian said, visibly pissed off and then left for the office room.

Charlotte whispered from behind me, "Is there something going on between the two of you?"

"What? No. No. Of course not. I am dating Blake. Why would I have something going on with Adrian?", I asked, not sure which one of us, I was trying to convince.

"Well excuse me. I need to go get ready.", I said and then left for my room. I quickly did my hair and put my stilletos on. I didn't know why I always decided not to but ended up wearing them anyway. I confirmed that I looked pretty enough in the mirror and then, picking up my phone, I went downstairs.

My phone rang again. I picked it up and asked Blake, "You here yet?"

"Eight outside the mansion. It is just that I'm having a little trouble getting past your security."

"Oh! Let me talk to the guy."

He handed over his phone to the gaurds and I convinced him to let Blake in. I went outside to the front porch where Blake's red ferrari had just pulled in.

He got out of his car and opened the door for me. He definitely knew how to impress a girl. As I sat inside, he asked me "Hope you like my car."

"You kidding me. It is amazing."

"Yeah. But not as good as the collection you must be used to seeing by now, every day.", He rolled his eyes.

"Well. Adrian is a car junkie.", I giggled.

"So I have heard. But I hope he doesn't drive a different car every day, that would be crazy."

"Oh no. Even though he is moody, he mostly sticks to his Maserati for work and his Lamborghini for other times."

"Okay! Enough about Adrian, now. I brought you something."

"Oh! Thanks.", I said, expecting a bouquet but he pulled out a wrapped gift and said, "Open it."

"Right now?", I asked.

"Yeah. I could get it changed if you dot like it."

"Okay.", I said, tearing the wrapper off just to reveal a velvet box.

"You aren't proposing to me already, are you?", I joked.

He laughed as I opened the box to reveal two beautiful dangling diamond earrings.

"Wow! I..."

"Do you like it?"

"I love it but...isn't this a little to expensive for a first date?"

"You are dating a billionaire and are going to be one soon yourself. Anything else would have been below your standards."

"I was expecting a bouquet.", I laughed as he judged me," Seriously? You have not been dating the right guys then."

"Truer words were never spoken.", I continued laughing.

"Well, if today goes alright, I would like you wear that for the Grey's Christmas Eve party.", He said, as he started the car and we drove off towards our venue.

"Deal.", I smiled, "I have a really good feeling about this."

"So do I."

I sat in my office, furiously typing a termination letter for an employee who didn't deliver on time. Vanessa just made a fool out of myself in front of that employee and my entire family.

The door to the office opened and a prepared myself to yell at whoever entered but then I saw it was and felt that it was the best if I didn't.

"Dad.", I stated.

"We need to talk.", He said.

"Is this about what happened last night?", I asked irritably. The last thing I needed was a reminder that a girl named Vanessa existed.

"Not right now, Dad. I am awefully busy.", I said, looking back at my laptop.

"I am waiting for you downstairs.", He said and left.

Of course. Everyone got to boss me around and expected me to follow them. I see Blake the next time, he wouldn't leave without a broken jaw. I slammed my laptop shut and went outside.

Then something struck me. Downstairs? Why was Dad calling me to the cellar? He didn't suddenly decide that it was a good time to have whiskey with me, did he? When was the last time we did this, oh wait, never. He was always too busy or too angry with me.

I went downstairs and took a seat in front of my father. The maid poured us two glasses of whiskey on the rocks and went outside.

I crossed my arms as he picked up his glass, "What is the meaning of this?"

He ignored my question, taking a sip from his glass and then looked at me, "So, you and Vanessa."

"It was just one time. Not happening again, if that is what you are worried about."

"The picture of you two said otherwise."

"The picture ment nothing."

"Then why did you not want it to go up?", He eyed me cautiously.

"You know how everytime I am spotted with a girl, the paparazzi goes crazy. I didn't want to drag Vanessa into that but I guess she does want the attention.", I rolled my eyes.

"So you absolutely have no feelings for her?", He said. This felt more like an interrogation than a conversation.

I thought about his question. Since when did I start having feelings?

"Of course not. My relationship with her is strictly professional.", I cleared my throat.

"Is that why you both were staying in the same room in Cairo?"

My eyes widened in horror. "How...how did you know that?"

"Well your staff did work for me earlier. You can tell me if there is anything."

"No. I don't have any feeling for Vanessa?", I said, my statement sounding more like a question than I had hoped it would. Even my words had stopped obeying my orders now.

"Well it's best you convince yourself about that first.", He smiled.

"You have never been so interested in any other girl that I have actually hooked up with, why her? Besides the fact that she is a potential business partner."

"Well honestly, she compliments you. You both are equally crazy."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?", I frowned.

"Umhm. She may be a little ill tempered at times but otherwise she is intelligent, confident and beautiful. Also she is the only girl who would probably date you for you, not your money. She has her own coffers to dig from."

"Well not all girls date me for my money. I do have the looks you know.", I smiled.

"Don't be too cocky. You did inherit the looks from me.", He smirked.

"I would disagree.", I smirked as well. This was the best conversation I had with dad in quite some time.

He scoffed, "I was a favourite among girls back in my days."

"And you scold me for being a skirt chaser?", I arched my eyebrow.

"I didn't date any of those women. I had eyes only for Paula."

"Oh right. You did tell us about how you both were high-school sweethearts.", I smiled, "But it is not my type of relationship. Plus these relationships usually don't last. Yours was an exception."

"True. We stood the test of time.", He smiled. I hadn't seen him do so for so long.

"Well, Vanessa is dating someone else and I don't do long term relationships. They tend to get suffocating.", I stated.

"Well, that's a shame. Anyways, I need to go. Paula wants to go do some Christmas shopping. We are decorating the tree tomorrow.", He said, finishing his glass of whiskey.

I nodded as I got up too, gulping the liquor down my throat. We walked upstairs as he said,"Congratulations."

"For what?", I frowned.

"We just had a decent conversation.",He smiled.

"Oh right.", I smiled too.

When Casey saw us, she eyed me sceptically and then said,"Is knew it! The sun did rise from the west today."

My dad shook his head and then left with mom and I went back to the office. I sat down to write the letter again but then I deleted it. He was a nice guy. He deserved a second chance.

■■■

I went upstairs after having a filling dinner and telling Bryan what happened. He wouldn't shut up about how right Rebecca was. I switched on the TV but then my attention diverted towards the sounds of car horns outside. Vanessa was back.

I peered through the window and there they were. Blake parked his ferrari outside my porch, that presumptuous son of a bitch. He got out and then opened the door for Vanessa, lending her his hand.

Wow! I was pretty sure Vanessa was pretty capable of opening a car door. I wouldn't be shocked if he offered to carry her inside too. I rolled my eyes in disgust. Blake closed the car door once Vanessa got out but then he leaned towards her. My heart stopped when she put her hands around Blake's neck.

"Don't do it! Vanessa, don't!", I said. If only she could hear me.

She leaned towards him, closing the distance between them and then I turned around. I couldn't bear to see anymore of this. I couldn't breathe anymore. I felt a storm build inside of me.

How could she? Did our kiss mean nothing to her? Did she get over yesterday so quickly?

In blind rage, I picked up a vase and flung it across the room. It hit the mirror and the glass shattered. Next I threw a few glass frames on the floor, smashing them to dust. But no, none of it could contain my fury.

I balled my fists as I held back my urge to go down right now and strangle Blake to death or to probably punch him off a cliff. I don't think I have ever been more furious than I was right now.

I heard the car's ignition start and then Blake left. I knew exactly what to do. I took my phone and walked out of my room. I dialed Elysa and said," Meet me at my penthouse in half an hour. I'll be waiting."

If Vanessa could forget that kiss, so could I.

I walked down the staircase with determination but then my paths crossed with her. I looked at her searchingly, looking for any signs of regret but all I saw was a pair of questioning eyes, searching for something too.

It pained me to even look at her. Yesterday was so vivid, still. It was like it had happened a moment ago, a moment brutally invaded by Blake.

I think I knew now what I felt. But I didn't know why? I walked past her, averting my eyes, with a burning question.

Why was I so jealous when she wasn't even mine?